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Topic: Bitter and Sweet (05/28/09)
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TITLE: MAKING A RUN FOR IT - FROM GOD? | Previous Challenge Entry
By S de Villiers
06/04/09 -
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When I think back to my childhood days I cannot help but laugh at the times I got a hiding from my parents. It did not happen that often, because my dad was an old softie, but there were these days that I had to, unwillingly of course, wait in my room for my dad to decide what my punishment will be.
One of the incidents I can remember quite clearly was the time I broke the kitchen window with a golf ball. Living in a house with a relative small backyard as children we were not allowed to play ballgames near any of the windows, which are perfectly understandable. Well, not so understandable when you are five years old thinking you are Gary Player teeing of for a possible hole-in-one.
It was quite a successful shot but my joy was short lived when I heard a window break. As the fear got hold of me I dropped the golf club like a hot stone and made a run for it as fast as my little legs could carry me. Needless to say I still got my hiding. I remember crying that I was sorry and for the life of me I could not understand the big fuss about a broken window. I did not realize then that it was not about the broken window but about me disobeying my parents. They knew what could happen,as for me; it did not even cross my mind.
That was one time I remember very well and although I cannot recall all the other times I can definitely say there was never a time that I would turn around to my dad after my punishment with tears in my eyes saying with a sweet little voice “Thank you daddy, I think that was quite necessary. I love you.”
No! My thoughts (I would not dream of saying it out loud) were more in the direction of; “well that’s it, I am never going to give you a hug again and don’t even think about a good night kiss.” Maybe not that severe and but you get my point.
Today I can think back on those times and smile and although giving a child a hiding is a very controversial subject, in my case it was just the way it was done in those days and I can now look back and honestly say I am very grateful for my parents for disciplining me.
When it comes to God disciplining me (I do not want to say God punishes me for things I do wrong since I can not imagine God with one hand in His side and the other one waving an angry wooden spoon at me), I am still growing and learning to recognise His voice and I am going to be very honest and say that I am not always sure when it is God allowing some things to come upon my path to build my character or the devil attaching me.
One thing is for sure, in difficult times I will search my heart making sure I am still walking in His ways and then take every concern and worry I have to God, resting in His word that all things work together for good for those who love Him. With that I am not saying that God make bad things happen to work His will (and I am convinced God will never let someone die near to you or make your house burn down etc. as punishment) but making everything that happens to me, even the bad things (often a result of my bad choices) to work out for good. That is if I trust him enough to open my heart for Him, even after sinning. I never want to miss out on His love by changing into a bitter and callous hearted person, asking Him why he let certain things happen to me. I want to be someone that can look back and thank him with a joyful heart knowing that He will never leave me nor forsake me, even during those bitter times.
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